Computed tomography in sciatica

Lumber facet arthropathy and a herniated disk are two major causes of low back pain and sciatica. The authors evaluated the importance of computed tomography (CT) in 243 patients with low back pain and/or sciatica. Lumbar facet abnormalities were found in 139 patients (57%), and a herniated disk was found in 48 patients (20%). CT findings correlated precisely with surgical observations in cases involving a herniated disk and correlated well with the results of an intra-articular facet block in a small series of patients. CT can effectively diagnose and differentiate between lumbar facet arthropathy and a herniated disk.     

Adriamycin and daunomycin generate reactive oxygen compounds in erythrocytes

Adriamycin and daunomycin produce dose-related cardiac toxicity that may be related to oxygen radicals. Addition of these compounds to human erythrocyte suspensions resulted in stimulation of hexose monophosphate shunt activity that was markedly impaired in the absence of oxyhemoglobin. Evidence for generation of hydrogen peroxide by these compounds was provided by oxidation of reduced glutathione, by 14C- formate oxidation, and by the catalase-aminotriazole trapping technique. These experiments indicate that Adriamycin and daunomycin interact with oxyhemoglobin to generate reactive oxygen metabolites. A similar interaction with oxymyoglobin may occur in the heart and produce oxygen radicals that injure cardiac myocytes.     

Computed tomography and bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of tarsal coalition

Three cases of talocalcaneal coalition were evaluated with routine radiography, conventional tomography, 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy, and computed tomography (CT). Routine radiography was normal in 1 case and demonstrated secondary findings suggesting coalition in 2. Conventional tomography confirmed the coalition in 2 patients. In all 3 cases, the scintigrams demonstrated increased uptake in the region of the coalition. CT provided the most graphic depiction of the coalition site and also identified an associated lesion involving the posterior subtalar joint, not recognized on conventional tomography. Scintigraphy may be useful as a screening procedure and can provide important localizing information in difficult cases.